Posted on February 12, 2016
We have been touched by asbestos in individual ways, yet we are joined together by a bond of community. As a testament to the strength of our global family, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) is highlighting the courageous stories of our members with the “Share Your Story” feature on our website.
This week, we would like to honor the story of John, as told by his daughter Charlene who is a part of our ADAO family.
We encourage you to submit your personal stories by clicking here and following the simple instructions on the page. In sharing, comes healing. Remember, you are not alone.
“One Little Fiber of Asbestos” – John’s Story
Name: John
Location: West Virginia
Date of Birth: NOV-1952
Date of Diagnosis: FEB-2003
Diagnosis: Mesothelioma
Treatment: Cisplatin/Alimpta x2, 4 major surgeries (debulking), HIPEC (2 dif. times), clinical trials
Date of Death: SEP-2015
How has asbestos changed your life? Shared by his daughter, Charlene (unedited)
It turned our family’s world upside down. Because of asbestos, a wonderful man’s life was taken before his time. He went from a strong, vibrant, athletic man to one who was very limited in what he could do. He realized early on that he could no longer do things like playing football, basketball or other sports with our three sons like he had done all their lives. Our grandchildren who adored their “grappy” have been robbed of a lifetime with him. It was very hard to watch the daily pain and suffering he endured. It’s so sad that “one little fiber of asbestos”, (as we were told by doctors), could so maliciously take a life and change a family forever.
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